Look! A New Bill Introduced To Protect Employment Of Legal Marijuana Consumers

Last week a bill was introduced in Congress that would aim to provide employment protection to federal employees who use marijuana in accordance with the laws of their state. The measure was introduced on July 26 and is co-sponsored by Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL) and Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA). The state of Georgia legalized the medical use of cannabis in 2015, and Florida followed shortly after. The bill, known as the Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act (H.R. 6589), aims to prevent the government from denying employment or subjecting them “to any other adverse personnel action,” according to the text of the bill.

The bill would apply to federal workers “whose residence is in a State where that individual’s private use of marijuana is not prohibited,” even if that job is in a state without legal cannabis. As of now, the federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, which means cannabis has no medicinal value and a high potential for abuse. This bill does not give workers permission to be high at work, while an exception in the law allows for disciplinary action if there is probable cause to believe that the individual is under the influence of marijuana while on the job. This isn’t the first time a bill like this has been introduced. The first would have only covered military veterans who are also employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, though that bill failed.

The Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act builds on the failed VA amendment. While the bill has been introduced, it has been referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for consideration. We will know more after Labor Day. Give us your thoughts and keep it locked for more on this coming soon.